Beech Tree News Network

Lazy summer days come to a screeching halt when the school calendar announces, “First day for students.” Butler County Schools’ 2013-14 calendar shows August 8th as the first day for students. So, many parents have begun to think about this deadline.

In preparation for returning to school, parents and guardians have many things to do. Student must have up-to-date immunizations and physical exams. As children grow – sometimes in spurts, clothing and shoe sizes change, resulting in a need for additional items. Then, students need school supplies.

What school supplies are necessary? In the past, schools in our area have publicized grade-level school supplies as well as posting them in many area stores. An Internet article (http://www.wral.com/conquering-back-to-school-spending/12632399/) provides some good advice:
•    Shop your house before buying supplies or clothing.
•    Swap clothes with other families or through organizations, such as consignment shops.
•    When shopping, buy what you need where the deals are. And, don’t buy only name brands.
•    During the clearance sales after school starts, buy supplies for later in the year.
•    If a child wants a more expensive item, allow him/her to pay the difference.
Another site (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/back-to-school-survey-reveals-ma...) reported that “67% of U.S. parents with school-aged children plan to spend more than $100 per child on back-to-school shopping this year.”

One additional way to prepare for the school year is to attend the school’s open house. The open-house schedules are often found on the school’s website, the school’s marquee, through the local media, and in parent emails or one-calls. This is a good opportunity for the parents or guardians to meet the student’s new teacher(s).

Those yellow school buses will soon be on the road again, and students will adjust to the school routine: having a daily schedule, preparing for class, and waking up early. Like many other students, my grandchildren aren’t all that eager to get back into that routine. But, maybe that makes the last few weeks of vacation all the more enjoyable.